Pathogenic Microbes

Identification and Biocontrol of Phytopathogens

Every year, Bangladeshi farmers experience major losses in their crop yields due to bacterial diseases that affect a wide variety of crops, causing significant damage to our economy. In order to develop more effective control strategies against these phytopathogenic microbes, it is essential to identify the pathogens responsible for the diseases and assess their pathogenesis in the native crops. Such measures would enable farmers to adopt proactive measures to protect their crops and minimize losses caused by bacterial infections. Therefore, concerted efforts must be made to study the behavior and impact of these bacterial pathogens on crops, leading to the development of sustainable and efficient solutions for disease control in agriculture.

Moreover, currently our farmers use only chemical disinfectants for management of the microbial infections. These chemicals although effective to kill the pathogens, are greatly harmful to our ecosystem. Hence, we attempt finding out microbial antagonists to kill phytopathogens in order to mitigate associated infections and simultaneously reduce use of the chemical disinfectants.

Food Safety and Public Health

Lack of the maintenance of proper hygiene in food processing, handling etc. is a major cause of gastroenteritis and other foodborne illnesses caused by pathogenic microbes. Food products particularly those of animal origin, e.g., fish and broiler meats, serve as the main reservoir and vehicles for transmission of these pathogens. Worldwide, the pathogenic bacteria and fungi pose a major threat to human health causing mild to severe health conditions. Moreover, the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance among the pathogens have made the treatment even more challenging. This resistance can arise through various mechanisms, such as the overuse and misuse of antibiotics in both human and animal health, as well as through the spread of resistant genes via horizontal gene transfer. As a result, it is essential to monitor the prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens and develop strategies to reduce its spread.

Our project aims to investigate the prevalence, pathogenesis, and antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic organisms that pose a risk to public health. Specifically, we focus on "one health" issues related to foodborne zoonotic infections and diseases, as well as multidrug resistant strains such as Staphylococci, Salmonella, and Shigella, and other microbes commonly found in food. By studying these pathogens, we hope to develop effective strategies to control their spread and protect public health.

Other projects:

Research outline

Beneficial microbe research

Microbial ecophysiology

Genomics and bioinformatics